Wheel-shaped yokai that rumble through the crossroads at night. The Wanyuudo, bearing a furious man's face, and the Katawa-guruma, a one-wheeled oxcart carrying a woman. Born in the capital during the age of oxcarts, these apparitions were said to curse anyone who dared to look upon or peek at them.
Explore the yokai of "Yokai of Wheels" through curated collections.
Fire Yokai and Ghost Lights | Onibi, Kitsunebi and Shiranui in Japanese Folklore
Meet Japan’s fire yokai and ghost lights, from Hitodama, Shiranui, Tsurube-bi and Aosagibi to Kosenjōbi, Wanyūdō and Enenra. Their flames arise from different roots—souls of the dead, natural phenomena, moral tales, household fire and divine myth—and reveal why a distant light at night became something uncanny.
Cool Yokai | Japanese Folklore through Power, Speed, and Monstrous Beauty
The "coolness" of yokai isn't determined solely by combat strength. From the overwhelming presence of Shuten-doji and Ushi-oni, the blazing speed of the Tengu and Kamaitachi, the sheer divinity of the Suzaku and Byakko, to the daring designs of Seto-taisho and Nise-kisha—the reasons they captivate us vary widely. In this collection, we explore the charm that lies beyond fear by examining their appearances and stories left in legends, folktales, and classical yokai art.
